Science Investigatory Project

Using Kinetic Energy to Generate Electricity: A Study on Viability of Kinetic Energy as a

Renewable Energy Source.

A Science Investigatory Project

Presented to
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Institute of Technology
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements in Physics for Engineers
(PHYS 013)
To
Mr. John Eduardo Valdez
By:

Aboc, Third M.
Catuday, Guian James M.
Coronel, Christian Joshua C.
Cuarisma, Marvel Ken S.
De Guzman, Spencer B.
Janito, Jhonryl B.

DECET 1-1

05-22-2023

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RATIONALE

The effort required to accelerate a body of a particular mass from rest to its stated

velocity is known as the kinetic energy of a body, which is the kind of energy that an item

possesses due to its motion. The body holds onto the kinetic energy it acquired during its

acceleration until its speed changes. The body exerts the same amount of effort when slowing

down from its current pace to a condition of rest. Formally, kinetic energy is the second term in a

Taylor expansion of a particle's relativistic energy and any term in a system's Lagrangian that

includes a derivative with respect to time.

The collection of physical phenomena known as electricity are those that are connected to

the presence and movement of matter that possesses an electric charge. Maxwell's equations

describe the phenomenon of electromagnetism, which includes both magnetism and electricity as

components. Lightning, static electricity, electric heating, electric discharges, and many other

common phenomena have electrical components.

An electric field is created when there is an electric charge, either positive or negative.

Electric current, which results from the movement of electric charges, also creates a magnetic

field. In most cases, a force acting on a charge has an intensity determined by Coulomb's law.

Volts are commonly used to measure electric potential.

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 Because it is created by transforming main energy sources like coal, natural gas, nuclear

energy, solar energy, and wind energy into electrical power, the electricity we use is a secondary

energy source. Electricity is also referred to as an energy carrier, which indicates that it can

transform into other energy types like heat or mechanical energy. The primary energy sources are

either renewable or nonrenewable, but the electricity we use is neither.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. Limited knowledge of the feasibility and potential of using kinetic energy to produce

electricity as a viable renewable energy source: There is currently little knowledge and research

on the viability of using kinetic energy to produce electricity as a renewable energy source,

which calls for a thorough investigation to determine its feasibility.

2. Lack of efficient systems and technology for kinetic energy conversion into electricity:

Current methods for capturing kinetic energy and converting it into electricity might not be

optimized to their full potential. Improved technologies and systems that can efficiently absorb

and transform kinetic energy into useful electrical power must be found and developed.

3. Lack of information and analysis regarding the scalability and dependability of kinetic

energy as a renewable energy source: Kinetic energy's potential as a sustainable power source

has not been sufficiently investigated. The ability of kinetic energy systems to generate power

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consistently in diverse environmental circumstances, as well as their potential for large-scale

deployment, all require further research.

HYPOTHESIS

The feasibility of kinetic energy as a renewable energy source may be shown by

harnessing and turning it into electricity, providing a viable route for environmentally friendly

power generation.

According to this theory, it is conceivable to establish the viability of kinetic energy as a

renewable energy source by efficiently capturing and transforming it into electricity. The goal of

the study is to determine whether it is feasible to use different kinetic energy sources, such as

wind, water, or mechanical motion, to create electricity using the right methods and technology.

The idea is that kinetic energy conversion systems, if implemented successfully, could provide a

promising answer for renewable energy production, potentially reducing reliance on

conventional non-renewable energy sources and promoting a greener and more environmentally

friendly future.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

(1) Contribution to the Renewable Energy Portfolio: The study is crucial because it

examines if kinetic energy may be used to generate electricity from renewable

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 sources. The research contributes to the diversification and growth of the renewable

energy portfolio by offering insights into the possibility of harnessing kinetic energy.

In turn, this can aid in lessening reliance on fossil fuels and reducing the negative

environmental effects of conventional energy sources.

(2) Impact on the environment and sustainability: The study tackles the critical need for

environmentally sound and sustainable energy options. The study's goal is to further

the creation of clean and renewable energy systems by examining the possibilities of

kinetic energy conversion. If the research is effective, it may open the door to the

usage of kinetic energy technology, which might greatly lower greenhouse gas

emissions and slow climate change.

(3) Accessibility and affordability of energy: Socioeconomic growth depends on having

access to electricity that is both dependable and reasonably priced. Opportunities for

generating electricity in off-the-grid and remote locations are made possible by

investigating kinetic energy as a renewable energy source. The study can improve

energy accessibility and close the energy gap in marginalized populations by creating

efficient and affordable kinetic energy conversion systems.

(4) Technological Advancements and Innovation: Research on kinetic energy harvesting

encourages technological developments and new ideas in the renewable energy sector.

It motivates scientists, engineers, and businesspeople to investigate novel techniques,

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 components, and tools for effective kinetic energy conversion. The findings of this

study may inspire the creation of innovative technologies and systems that promote

the use of renewable energy sources.

In summary, this study's importance resides in its ability to advance the larger objectives

of attaining sustainable development, lowering carbon emissions, and maintaining a steady

supply of clean energy. The research can offer important information and insights that support a

cleaner and more sustainable future by examining the potential of kinetic energy as a renewable

energy source for electricity.

GOAL / EXPECTED OUTCOME

This study aims to create a simple project that will visually represent how kinetic energy

can generate electricity, using a DC motor, capacitor and a light bulb for output. The circuit is

expected to produce voltage by rotating a hand crank attached to the shaft of the DC motor,

which requires kinetic energy, and thus, turning the light bulb on.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Kinetic energy – It is the power a thing possesses as a result of motion. There is energy

involved in an object's movement when it is in motion. An object has more kinetic energy the

faster it goes or the heavier it is. For instance, because they are in motion, a rolling ball or a

driving car have kinetic energy.

2. Electricity - Many of the systems and technologies we use daily are powered by

electricity, which is a type of energy. It involves the movement of electrons, which are very small

particles, via conductive materials like wires. Electric current is produced by the movement of

electrons from one location to another. Lights, appliances, computers, and a variety of other

equipment can all be powered by this electrical current when it is captured.

3. Renewable sources - Energy sources that can be regenerated spontaneously and

indefinitely are referred to as renewable sources, often known as renewable energy or renewable

resources. Renewable energy sources are continuously replenished in contrast to fossil fuels,

which are limited and require millions of years to generate (such as coal and oil). Solar energy,

wind, water (hydropower), biomass (organic matter), and geothermal heat are a few examples of

renewable sources. Due to their reduced negative effects on the environment and potential to

minimize greenhouse gas emissions, these sources are regarded as environmentally benign.

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REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

One of the renewable forms of energy is kinetic energy. The feasibility of turning kinetic

energy into electricity has been the subject of extensive research. The placement of a mechanical

footstep power generator on the back foot area has been presented in this study as a

straightforward and inexpensive technique to improve the performance and efficiency of energy

conversion from kinetic energy to electricity energy.

The article “Kinetic Energy Harvesting Technologies for applications in Land

Transportation” by M. Ali et al. provides a comprehensive review of the current advancements in

kinetic energy harvesting technologies for land transportation. It explores various energy

harvesting, and electromagnetic energy harvesting, and their potential application in land

transportation. The authors discussed the advantages and the limitations of each technology and

provide a comparison of their performance in terms of energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness and

power density. It also highlights the challenges associated with the integration of energy

harvesting technologies into land transportation systems and provides recommendations for

future research. In its entirety, the study provides insights into the potential of kinetic energy and

the sustainability of land transportation systems.

The availability and abundance of kinetic energy as a source of power is one of its key

benefits. Kinetic energy does not rely on finite resources or emit harmful gasses like fossil fuels

or nuclear power does. Furthermore, kinetic energy can be obtained from already-existing

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structures or activities like gyms, railroad, roads or bridges without the need for land usage or

development. For example, some studies have proposed and tested ways to capture the kinetic

energy from vehicles passing over speed bumps or pavements, and convert it to electricity for

street lighting and traffic signals (Abdelwahab et al., 2018; Kumar et al., 2019). Similarly, a few

researchers have created and put into use systems that can generate electricity from human

movement, such as walking, and utilize it to power wearable gadgets or public infrastructure

(Kim et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2020).

Utilizing kinetic energy to produce has another advantage in that it can offer

decentralized and off-grid power solutions for isolated or rural locations where access to

traditional electrical grids is restricted and inconsistent. As an illustration, various studies have

examined the viability and effectiveness of employing wind turbines or water wheels to generate

electricity for small scale purposes, such as lighting, heating, or charging devices (Ali et al.,

2017; Omer et al., 2019). Additionally, some researchers have looked into the possibility of

harnessing kinetic energy to produce electricity in emergency or disaster scenarios where the

primary power supply is compromised or damaged. For instance, several projects have

demonstrated and used portable generators that can generate energy from pedals, flywheels, or

hand cracks and utilize it to power radios, phones, or medical equipment. (Chen et al., 2016; Lee

et al., 2020).

However, there are several difficulties and restrictions associated with harnessing kinetic

energy to create electricity. Kinetic energy is intermittent and variable, dependent on things like

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weather, traffic, human activity, or gadget performance. This is one of the key downsides. As a

result, the continuous and high demand for electricity for large-scale or industrial applications

may not be able to be met by employing kinetic energy to create electricity. Moreover, kinetic

energy can need backup energy sources or storage devices to guarantee a steady and continuous

flow of electricity. For instance, some research has suggested and assessed ways to use batteries,

capacitors, or supercapacitors to store extra electricity produced from kinetic energy sources

(Gao et al., 2019; Liu et al., 2020)

Utilizing kinetic energy to create electricity has numerous drawbacks, including the

potential for high cost and technical challenges with regard to integration, design, installation,

maintenance, or maintenance-free operation. For instance, some machines that use kinetic to

produce electricity could need sophisticated or pricey materials or parts, including piezoelectric

elements, magnets, coils, or gears (Zhang et al., 2018; Zhao et al., 2019). In addition, some

technologies would need to be adjusted or modified in order to function within already-existing

surroundings or infrastructures, such as roads, bridges, buildings, or clothing (Chen et al., 2017;

Li et al., 2019)

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METHODOLOGY

This section will discuss the methods of construction of the prototype. The step-by-step

procedure will be presented with descriptions and details.

A. Project Design

FIGURE 1
Parts of the prototype

FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3
Connection of the components Actual Prototype (with base)

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 B. Procurement of Materials and Components

For this project, we will use a 9v DC motor, a 200v/200uF electrolytic capacitor, 9v

light bulb, rocker switch, wires, hand crank of a rotary sharpener, and some gears. These

components are attached and screwed on a 5 inches by 4 inches varnished plywood with a

thickness of ¼ inch, which will be the prototype's base. Components will be procured from the

nearest electronics shop, such as DEECO.

C. Methods and Procedures

We will start the assembly of the prototype by attaching a hand crank, retrieved from a rotary

sharpener, to our DC motor with the help of gears. We will then solder the wires of the DC motor

parallel to the capacitor, and connected to the switch and bulb holder in series. Afterwards, the

plywood will be coated with a maple colored varnish then each of the components will be

screwed on it.

D. Testing

Before attaching it on a plywood, our prototype will be tested first using a breadboard to

make sure that the expected outcome, which is to generate electricity using a DC motor, will be

achieved. Otherwise, troubleshooting will be executed.

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 E. Troubleshooting

If the prototype failed to generate electricity and the bulb did not lit up, we will first check

the wires if they are properly connected, then, we will replace the DC motor with a higher

voltage rating as well as the light bulb if needed.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kinetic energy harvesting based sensing and IoT systems: A review. (n.d.). Frontiers.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/felec.2022.1017511/full

Generating power every time you hit the road. (2019, April 15). Rutgers CAIT.

https://cait.rutgers.edu/generating-power-every-time-you-hit-the-road/

Wind power. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/wind-power

Ang, C. K., Al-Talib, A. a. M., Tai, S. M., & Lim, W. M. (2019). Development of a footstep

power generator in converting kinetic energy to electricity. E3S Web of Conferences.

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20198002001

EIA contributors. (2022). Electricity is a secondary energy source. Electricity explained. U.S.

Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Electricity. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity

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Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Kinetic energy. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_energy

Pan, H., Qi, L., Zhang, Z., & Yan, J. (2021) Kinetic energy harvesting technologies for

applications in land transportation: A comprehensive review. Applied Energy, 286,

116518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116518

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